[LYTTELTON TIMES.]

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 711, 9 August 1870, Page 2

[ LYTTELTON TIMES.]

Wellington, August 4. Mr Macandrew moved his Pacific Mail Service resolutions, filling up the blanks with 90 hours and LI 0,000. Mr Creighton seconded. Mr Fitzherbert strongly supported the idea of New Zealand contracting for an efficient service, and thought that the expenditure of L 90 ,000 required by Mr Webb would prove amply reproduccive. He thought such services necessary to give full effect to the financial policy, and that the Colony could well afford it. The port at call should be left to the decision of the contractors. ; The opinion of the House seems strongly in favor of the last suggestion, and Mr Williamson expressed his conviction that Mr Hall would not be able to carry on his contract, but that Auckland would be; blind to its own interests if it did not carry out the service on its own account. The Hon. John Hall thought that America would not subsidise the line terminatiug in New Zealand. The debate was adjourned fer a week, as Mr Yogel intimated that he expected important correspondence on the subject. The Public Works and Immigration; Bill was read a second time. !

Mr Richmond opposed it as ill-con-sidered and inconsistent in its provisions. All proposed to be done next year could be authorised by a short Bill, and a larger one might be left to the consideration of the new Parliament. Mr Wilson moved that the Bill be read that day six months. Messrs Fitzherbert and Hall supported the second reading. On a division, the amendment was lost by 45 to 7. Mr Haughton accepted the " previous question" with regard to his manhood suffrage resolutions. Mr Stevens asked why the capital sentence on Smyth, the wife murderer at, Christchurch, had been commuted. Mr Fox replied, because the jury seemed to have been hurried to a verdict by the Judge's intimation, that if they did not quickly agree • they would bo locked up over Sunday ; because the Judge seemed wrongly to have charged the jury as to the unanimity of the medical testimony when Dr. Thorn bull's evidence was contrary to that of the other medical men ; and because the Judge, in correspondence with the Government, intimated his belief that the prisoner might not have intended to illuse his wife. Mr Gillies moved that it vva3 essential to the independence of Parliament, and the efficiency of the public service, that Colonial officers receiving salaries under appropriation by_the Colonial Legislature, excepiing, those wlio Kola" political offices should not in future be eligible for appointment to the Legislative Council or sit in the House of Representatives, and that no member of the Legislative Council or House of Representatives be eligible for any office of emolument under the Colonial Government fur the period of one year after ceasing to be members of Parliament. Messrs Yogel and Fitzherbert opposed the motion. ; Mr Fox moved the omission of the last paragraph. Mr Ludlam proposed to extend disqualification to all provincial officers except Superintendents. Mr Gillies said ho hoped the House would agree that this debate be adjourned. Mr Stafford positively denied any truth in the rumour that he was likely to be appointed Immigration Agent or anything else. . ■ .

The Pacific Islands Trade Bill passed through committee. The House is now in Committee of Supply. Mr Reynolds withdrew his motion as to shaping the financial policy so as to admit financial separation, and said that the House was determined to support the Government financial proposals, as. it was useless to move them. The Otago Hundreds Repeal Bill was thrown out on the second reading by 29 to 15. . „ ■ Mr Mclndoe has given notice of a resolution, " That it is desirable that the constitution of the Legislative Council be assimilated to that of the House yf Representatives." Mr Houghton has given notice of a resolution, " That it is desirable that the Native race be represented in tho Legislative Council." The Star of the South has arrived from London. . ■ . . ( Napier, August 3. The p.s. Luna has arrived from Poverty Bay, bringing a report that nn Sunday 70 friendlies attacked Kooti, but being too precipitate in firing before the rear of the fores got in position they allowed Kooti to escape ; they however captured Huhuaora, Kooti's wife, six rifles, ammunition, clothes, food, &c. Huhuaorastatesthat Kooti had only 20 men with him, and not one with a cartouche box full of powder. Ropata starts this morning after Kooti with 170. men. He says that he will hot return till he catches him.